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Double Bass Bass Bag in Ontario/Canada

MikeCanada

MikeCanada

Aug 30, 2011
1,221
875
Toronto, ON
#1
I'm in the market for a new bag. I've read through a ton of the old posts here about bags. I'm looking for something that is going to last, protect my instrument, and not triple the carrying weight. Mooradian Deluxe, Messina, Bobelock, Tuff-Bag (String Emporium) and the Upton Bass Deluxe seem to be what keep coming up again and again.

With the CAD-USD exchange being horrible right now the Tuff-Bag and Upton Bass Deluxe don't work out as cheaper options, and I'm not finding a price for Messina online but I'm guessing the exchange means it would out price a Mooradian by a long shot. I've found the Mooradian (standard/deluxe unspecified) for $530 CAD, Deluxe for $589 CAD, and the Bobelock for $495 CAD, which is before we add 14% sales tax. They are selling for $471 USD and $235 USD respectively in America. I know we tend to pay more up north, but $118 and $260 more seems pretty steep.

Does anyone have a lead on bags in Ontario/Canada? Another option I'm not aware of? At times like this I really miss our 1-1 Dollar.
 
#5
Thanks Bob. Ordering a Messina would be a leap of faith because although everyone has great things to say about them, I haven't encountered any north of the border. My bass is gamba shaped with large-ish shoulders that didn't fit in one of the other bags I tried when initially purchasing the bass, so I am not sure if I am into custom territory or just making sure I order the right version of whatever bag I go with. Not black is an appealing option as well, although 395 USD converts to 522 CAD, and I'm guessing shipping a bass bag requires a pretty big box.
 
#7
MikeCanada said:
Thanks Bob. Ordering a Messina would be a leap of faith because although everyone has great things to say about them, I haven't encountered any north of the border. My bass is gamba shaped with large-ish shoulders that didn't fit in one of the other bags I tried when initially purchasing the bass, so I am not sure if I am into custom territory or just making sure I order the right version of whatever bag I go with. Not black is an appealing option as well, although 395 USD converts to 522 CAD, and I'm guessing shipping a bass bag requires a pretty big box.
Click to expand...
Mike,
I called mine slightly custom because it is a somewhat small 7/8ths. In talking with David he suggested waiting until I had the bass in my hands to accurately measure. Then he would adjust their closest template for a good fit. Plus, he was willing to leave off a few pockets that I will never need. Add in the fact that I can get it in a bright yellow, and it's hard to resist.
 
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#8
Francios: I have done a lot of business with The Sound Post, and will continue to do so. I also know our Canadian dollar means we get the short end of the stick quite often, but I was wondering if there was a dealer I wasn't aware of that could make it a little less painful. Heinl also has them and the Bobelock bag, which would be good to compare to. I am a little weary about the shape of my bass as it didn't fit into a bag I was pretty sure was a Mooradian when I was initially shopping, which is why I'm planning on taking it with me when I'm looking, or at the very least taking very good measurements before ordering.

Bob: I'm not sure what size I'm really looking at. My bass has been described as 7/8 at times which I think is being a little too generous, but it does have pretty broad shoulders. As mentioned, it didn't fit in a bag when I was initially purchasing it, but I do not know what that particular bag was. While it looks like David has a few standard models that he might keep stocked, "custom" bags is basically what he does, and I'm sure that keeps it fun/interesting instead of cranking out the exact same model day after day. I'm trying to coordinate a trip to the shop that works on my bass for some non-urgent work, and I'll likely have a look at what they have to offer there. If our dollars were at par again, I'd likely already have got in touch with David because he'd be right in the same ball park as a Mooradian purchased in Canada, but when I need some work, a bag, and new strings, it's rapidly becoming an expensive bass year.
 
#10
I've had a Mooradian Deluxe I purchased from Mike Shank during a rebuild he did for me. I really like it. No issues at all 2 years in. Still looks brand new, is very easy to carry, and most importantly, the protection is great. I'll also say that I've had two of the "deluxe" bags from Upton, and handles, zippers, and straps failed on both the original and the replacement they sent (to their credit) within the first 6 months. Good luck.
 
#11
Mike - I got my new bass and called David at Messina Covers with the dimensions. It basically fits their "standard" 7/8ths, but will require shortening the overall height by 2". Just in case it helps you, the dimensions are: Overall height - 74"; UB - 21.5"; LB - 27.5"; body - 46"; ribs (including top and back plates) - 8.5" to 7.25" to 6.25" at neck. I ordered mine with a bright yellow top and medium gray sides and back. Also removed one pocket that I would have no use for. Guessing I'll have it in a couple of weeks. I'll let you know what I think.
 
#13
Thanks guys. I got out the needle and thread to help stretch the life of my current bag a bit more. New strings have eaten up a big chunk of my bass budget right now and although I'm not expecting miracles from the Canadian Dollar in the near or not so near future, the difference in pricing when our dollars otherwise have a comparable buying power is frustrating.

I have found a few alternatives to Messina and Mooradian that are closer to the Tuff-Bag, Bobelock, and Upton options in price, but not a lot of opinions on longevity which worries me. A $300-ish bag with a significantly shorter lifespan than a $550-ish bag isn't something I want to deal with as I don't want to be going through this process again for a long time. While many of the "alternative bags" (and I've ranted about how I really don't like the word "alternative" when talking about bow woods) seem promising, they haven't been around long enough for "I've had mine for 10 years and it's still going strong!" comments that you find here for the other bags. They could be great but I've seen handles pull out of bags with no warning and the repairs that resulted, and I really don't want to chance that.

John, I have seen first hand what Alistair's import savvy can come up with. The bass I am playing now came from there and it has treated me well for a lot of years. I am "trying to accomplish" an American product at an American price in Canadian Dollars, which I know is a pipe dream. While there is a possibility that the Sound Post might have stock they purchased when the exchange was much closer to par than it is now, they still would have had additional expenses that an American competitor would not. I mean no ill will towards them or the other shops I have looked into as I know they have to survive as businesses, I am just frustrated with the large price difference between America and Canada.

I may end up eating it and either ordering a Messina or buying a Mooradian at the Canadian price, but right now I'm going to stretch some more life out of my current bag until my wallet is a bit more prepared for an upgrade.
 
#14
MikeCanada said:
Thanks guys. I got out the needle and thread to help stretch the life of my current bag a bit more. New strings have eaten up a big chunk of my bass budget right now and although I'm not expecting miracles from the Canadian Dollar in the near or not so near future, the difference in pricing when our dollars otherwise have a comparable buying power is frustrating.

I have found a few alternatives to Messina and Mooradian that are closer to the Tuff-Bag, Bobelock, and Upton options in price, but not a lot of opinions on longevity which worries me. A $300-ish bag with a significantly shorter lifespan than a $550-ish bag isn't something I want to deal with as I don't want to be going through this process again for a long time. While many of the "alternative bags" (and I've ranted about how I really don't like the word "alternative" when talking about bow woods) seem promising, they haven't been around long enough for "I've had mine for 10 years and it's still going strong!" comments that you find here for the other bags. They could be great but I've seen handles pull out of bags with no warning and the repairs that resulted, and I really don't want to chance that.

John, I have seen first hand what Alistair's import savvy can come up with. The bass I am playing now came from there and it has treated me well for a lot of years. I am "trying to accomplish" an American product at an American price in Canadian Dollars, which I know is a pipe dream. While there is a possibility that the Sound Post might have stock they purchased when the exchange was much closer to par than it is now, they still would have had additional expenses that an American competitor would not. I mean no ill will towards them or the other shops I have looked into as I know they have to survive as businesses, I am just frustrated with the large price difference between America and Canada.

I may end up eating it and either ordering a Messina or buying a Mooradian at the Canadian price, but right now I'm going to stretch some more life out of my current bag until my wallet is a bit more prepared for an upgrade.
Click to expand...


Hi - Sometimes there are used Mooradian bags on TalkBass, and on Kijiji in Toronto.

Craig
 
#17
Hi Mike,
I've been using a Boblock from Heinls with my girthy 7/8 bass for over a year now and it's great. Tough zippers and handles, and very light (under 6lbs). I thought I would need a Mooradian large 7/8 in order to get the right fit, but the Boblock has stretched out in the lower bout area and fits perfectly now. I would recommend them whole heartedly!
 

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